prying 1 of 4

prying

2 of 4

verb (1)

present participle of pry

prying

3 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of pry

prying

4 of 4

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective prying contrast with its synonyms?

The words curious and inquisitive are common synonyms of prying. While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

When is it sensible to use curious instead of prying?

While in some cases nearly identical to prying, curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

When is inquisitive a more appropriate choice than prying?

The words inquisitive and prying are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prying
Verb
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying -- and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves. Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023 But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying — and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023 The Google Nest Hub (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great smart display with no camera (and therefore no risk of unwanted prying eyes). Brenda Stolyar and Medea Giordano, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2022 To my mind, however, there’s a difference between a Google or a Facebook, which provide valuable services in return for their prying eyes, and an app that serves a single, ostensibly benign purpose — parking validation. Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2021 Carry two phones While anti-spy software may be effective in staving off the prying eyes of the Chinese government, not everyone knows how to install it. Jane Li, Quartz, 6 Aug. 2019 Its purpose: to train librarians to implement secure protocols on their own web services, and to teach members of the community to evade the prying eyes of governments, corporations, and criminal hackers. Eoin O'Carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Oct. 2017 One reason Russians have loaded up on passports is that Cypriot citizenship helps them avoid the prying eyes of their government and pay lower taxes. Yalman Onaran, Bloomberg.com, 11 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prying
Adjective
  • Sometimes leaders aren’t curious enough to ask what people really want.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • At least in part, Bernheim's programs are meant to put visitors in a more curious and creative state ― one that many young visitors already inhabit full-time.
    Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • As Lauryn was busy working at her warehouse alongside sister Jessica Shannon and her friend Paisley, June stopped by to inform them of her big plan.
    Dory Jackson, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • Despite the setback in Denver, the couple has been busy in the meantime.
    Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Black told jurors the video shows Johnson sitting calmly through nearly an hour of questioning before launching the assault.
    Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
  • Her persistence and questioning are contagious to her classmates, too.
    Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • According To Experts Where To Set Up A Mouse Trap Mice are inquisitive and will investigate anything new, says Owen.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
  • Decades after her mother’s passing, Seed discovered those recordings and put them at the heart of a documentary, A Photographic Memory, a film that can also be described as gentle, inquisitive, and wise.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • Federal agents subjected them to interrogations and even incarceration.
    Michael Luo, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
  • During his tenure, Jennings has: Effectively fired four officers and a supervisor who knew Harold Easter had swallowed cocaine during a traffic stop in January 2020 but failed to render any aid, instead leaving him alone in an interrogation room for more than 10 minutes.
    Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • For America to retain our status as the hub of the financial world, global investors need to know that dollars invested in U.S. financial institutions will not be subject to intrusive government regulation and taxation, and that their financial privacy will be protected.
    Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
  • This precision timing enhances conversion rates and improves the customer experience, making interactions feel serendipitous rather than intrusive.
    Maria Youth, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • The New York Times, which first broke the news of Ryan's resignation, reported on Thursday that the Justice Department was pressuring Ryan to step down in order to resolve a civil rights inquiry into the university.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • Sustainable Beef didn't immediately reply to an inquiry for more information about the company.
    Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The series centers on Italian American sports writer Ray Barone (Romano), living with his wife and kids in Long Island, who must deal with his overbearing and nosy parents who live across the street, as well as his older brother’s frequent jealousy of his success.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 14 June 2025
  • The show premiered on Sept. 13, 1996, and starred comedian Ray Romano as an Italian sports columnist living in Long Island with his wife (played by Patricia Heaton) and their three kids, with his nosy parents just across the street.
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prying. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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